Telangana Local Elections: New Leaders Chosen, Talks Happen for Key Roles

Elected members in Telangana have been sworn in. The next step is choosing leaders for local government bodies. Political parties are talking with independent winners, and some parties have raised concerns about fairness in the process.
By Newsroom | Telangana, India |

The final stages of Telangana's local body elections are now underway, with newly elected councillors and corporators taking their oaths. The focus has shifted to indirect elections for leadership positions within these Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). However, the process is marked by complex political maneuvering, with reports of negotiations involving independent candidates and allegations of attempts to sway election outcomes in municipalities where no single party secured a clear majority.

Elections for 2,996 wards across 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations in Telangana were held on February 11, 2026. Vote counting concluded on February 13, 2026, with results revealing a varied distribution of seats among the major political parties and independent candidates. The term for these elected officials is five years, commencing from the date of the first meeting post-election, as stipulated by The Telangana Municipalities Act 2019.

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Election Results: A Snapshot of Party Performance

The results of the local body elections indicate a significant victory for the Congress party. Final tallies from multiple sources suggest the Congress secured a substantial number of wards.

  • Congress: Various reports place the Congress's wins between 1,347 (Article 4) and 1,537 (Article 8) wards, with one source indicating a lead in 1,490 wards (Article 3). This performance indicates a strong showing across the state.

  • Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS): The BRS emerged as the second-largest party. Figures range from 716 (Article 4) to 781 (Article 8) wards. One report notes BRS leading on 521 seats (Article 3).

  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The BJP secured a notable presence, with reported wins ranging from 261 (Article 4) to 336 (Article 8) wards.

  • Others and Independents: A significant number of wards were won by other registered parties and independent candidates, accounting for the remaining seats. Estimates suggest around 257 (Article 4) to 173 (Article 6) wards for independents and other parties.

Post-Election Dynamics: Negotiations and Allegations

Following the declaration of results, political parties have engaged in strategic discussions, particularly in the 36 ULBs where no party obtained a clear majority. This situation has led to intensified negotiations with independent candidates, who could potentially play a pivotal role in determining leadership.

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  • Negotiations with Independents: Reports indicate that political parties are actively engaged in discussions with independent candidates. This is a common tactic in local body elections when no single party has a dominant mandate.

  • Allegations of Poaching: The urgency and intensity of these negotiations have led to allegations of attempts to "poach" or influence independent winners. This suggests a competitive and possibly contentious environment as parties seek to form majorities.

  • Focus on Indirect Elections: The immediate task is the indirect election of key leadership roles such as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. The outcomes of these elections will be crucial in shaping the governance of the ULBs.

Governance and Transparency

Information regarding the elected representatives and the functioning of the municipalities is expected to be available on the respective websites of the Municipalities. These links can be accessed through the homepage of the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CDMA) under the ‘District/ULB Portals’ section.

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  • Term of Office: Elected members serve a five-year term, commencing from the date of the first official meeting of the municipality after the elections.

  • Access to Information: The CDMA portal serves as a central point for accessing details about local governance, though the navigation tab ‘Municipalities (Location)’ was not fetching results on Monday morning.

Conflicting Narratives and Party Strategies

While the Congress has emerged as the leading party, other political entities are also strategizing to assert their influence.

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Congress's Strong Performance

The Congress party's success is highlighted across multiple reports, with sources noting their strong performance not only in the total number of wards but also in gaining control of key municipal bodies. Urban and semi-urban areas, traditionally seen as support bases for other parties, have shown a shift towards the Congress.

BRS and BJP's Position

The BRS, as the second-largest party, is a significant player in the post-election landscape. The BJP, while trailing, is reportedly aiming to position itself as an alternative to the Congress and BRS. There were also claims of alleged irregularities during the counting process by senior Congress leaders, although the primary focus is now on the indirect elections.

Other Parties

Parties like the All India Forward Bloc and AIMIM have also secured representation in various wards, contributing to the diverse political makeup of the local bodies.

Expert Analysis

"The situation in Telangana's local bodies reflects a common post-election scenario where fractured mandates necessitate coalition-building. The allegations of 'poaching' are not unusual in such contexts, underscoring the high stakes involved in securing leadership positions. The ability of parties to forge alliances with independents will be the defining factor in the coming days."— A political analyst based in Hyderabad, speaking anonymously.

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The election results signify a substantial shift in the political sentiment within Telangana's urban and semi-urban areas. The ensuing indirect elections will be a critical phase, determining the immediate governance structure of these local bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening after the local elections in Telangana?
The newly chosen councillors have taken their oaths. Now, they will choose leaders for the local government bodies.
Q: Why are political parties talking to independent winners?
In some towns, no single party won enough seats. So, parties need support from independent winners to choose leaders.
Q: Are there any problems in this process?
Some parties have said that others might be trying to unfairly influence or win over the independent candidates. This is a concern for a fair process.